
Vijayanagara-era doorframe discovered at Perdur temple
The 4.5-foot-high, 3.5-foot-wide doorframe showcases exceptional Vijayanagara craftsmanship, featuring a central Gajalakshmi seated on a raised platform, flanked by elephants pouring sacred water, with celestial Sun and Moon motifs above. The frame's edges depict the mythical vyali creature, followed by Vishnu's avatars, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, and a distinctive Kalingamardhana Krishna clutching a ball. The sequence concludes with a rare standing Buddha and Kalki, reflecting the empire's inclusive artistic traditions.
An inscription within the temple's inner sanctum, dated to Emperor Krishnadevaraya's reign (1509–1529 CE), connects the find to his era. Known for his patronage of art and religion, Krishnadevaraya supported the temple's stone renovations and appointed Surappayya as its administrator in 1519 CE.
The Kalingamardhana Krishna depiction likely commemorates his military triumphs against the Gajapatis of Orissa, from where he acquired a Krishna idol holding a ball. The symbol is widely revered in Vijayanagara territories, according to Prof. T Murugeshi.

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New Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Five lakh witnessed Tiruchendur temple consecration: Minister P Sekar Babu
THOOTHUKUDI: Chants of "arohara" reverberated on the Tiruchendur sea shore during the consecration of Subramaniys Swamy temple, which was performed from 6.22 am on Monday. After this, theertham was sprayed on devotees using drone-mounted sprinklers. A grand yaga salai comprising 76 homa kundams had been built and 108 Odhuvars, including 12 women, recited hymns from the Thirumurai. Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department Minister P Sekar Babu said around five lakh people had converged on the town to witness the consecration. Besides him. "We expect more devotees to come to offer worship and required facilities are in place for them," he added. Fisheries Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan, collector K Elambahavath, and former union minister Pon Radhakrishnan, also participated. According to Sekar Babu, the temple complex has been renovated at the cost of Rs 400 crore. This includes Rs 200 crore contributed by Shiv Nadar Foundation and the rest funded by the government. A few works are pending and they would be completed by October 2025, he said. The Tiruchendur consecration is the real conference of devotees, whereas an event held in Madurai recently was a sanghi conference, he added. The temple was last consecrated on July 2, 2009.


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Lakhs witness grand consecration event at Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple
Tuticorin: Lakhs of devotees gathered in Tiruchendur to witness the consecration (Kumbabishekam) of the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, which was performed early on Monday morning, after a gap of 16 years. Elaborate religious ceremonies and tight security arrangements were in place to manage the large turnout of devotees. The rituals began well before dawn around 2am. The ceremony was conducted between 6.15am and 650 am. The holy water was poured over the rajagopuram, shanmugha vimanam, and other temple towers by priests at 6.22am. The water was drawn from the yagasalai and carried in more than 700 silver-plated sacred pots, following a sequence of vedic procedures. The main ceremonies were conducted in a specially constructed 8,000sqft yagasalai, where 71 homa kundams were set up. Of these, 49 were dedicated to Lord Shanmugar, while others were assigned to Jayanthinathar, Natarajar, Perumal, and several parivara deities. Tamil Thirumurai verses were recited during the rituals instead of Sanskrit mantras. As devotees were not allowed inside the temple during the main ritual, the ceremonies were live-streamed on 70 large LED screens installed at various locations across the town, allowing people to view the proceedings from a safe distance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo The event also marked the culmination of a large-scale temple renovation effort launched in 2022 at a cost of 300 crore. Several structural and infrastructure improvements were completed in preparation for the kumbabishekam. Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) minister P K Sekar Babu and fisheries and animal husbandry minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan participated in the final stages of the ritual, including the ceremonial flag waving that signalled the conclusion of the purnahuti (fire ritual). Former Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan was also present, along with senior officials from the HR&CE epartment and other govt departments. Religious heads from mutts including Sringeri and Kanchi also attended the event and offered prayers. Following the conclusion of the consecration rituals, 20 drone sprayers flew over the seashore area, showering devotees with holy water as part of the final blessing ceremony. Each drone carried 10 litres of sanctified water and completed three rounds of spraying. A total of 6,000 police personnel were deployed, while 550 fire and rescue personnel were stationed in and around the temple with 20 fire tenders. Two State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams remained on standby. The coastal zone was closely monitored, and local fishermen were engaged to assist with any potential emergencies along the shoreline. First-aid booths and mobile medical units were set up at key points, especially along the beach where devotees were allowed to gather. To facilitate transportation, three temporary bus terminals were created on approach roads from Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Nagercoil. Parking facilities were arranged at 18 designated areas, accommodating more than 20,000 buses and 10,000 private vehicles.


The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Thousands witness grand consecration of Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy temple after 16 years
Thousands of devotees witnessed the grand consecration of the Subramanya Swamy temple in Tiruchendur on Monday (July 7, 2025). Conducted between 6:15 a.m. and 6:50 a.m., the ceremony, organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department after a gap of 16 years, drew devotees in large numbers from across Tamil Nadu. As the event was scheduled to take place early in the morning, pilgrims from the neighboring districts and various places across the State began arriving on the temple premises as early as Sunday (July 6, 2025) noon. Following the completion of the 12th phase of yagasala puja in the early hours of Monday, the holy water to be poured on Kumba Kalasa was carried in a ceremonial procession on the temple premises. The procession culminated with the water being taken to the designated vimanas and gopurams. The rituals of performing puja for Kumba Kalasa commenced around 5:50 a.m., soon after the holy water reached the dedicated spots atop the vimanas and gopurams. The consecration of both east and west gopurams and vimanas were performed simultaneously at the scheduled time, amidst vedic chants and the resounding devotion of the crowd chanting 'Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara'. The Kumba Kalasas pre-filled with kodo millet were then sanctified with holy water, followed by the deeparadhana. Following the consecration event rituals, holy water was sprayed on devotees with drones, marking the event's spiritual and technological blend. A large number of pilgrims gathered at the seashore and the temple's entry points, which offer a stunning view of the rajagopuram and sacred proceedings during the consecration. HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu, HR&CE department Commissioner P.N. Sridhar, and other officials participated in the event.